Theft and loss of property, not violence, is the most commonly reported safeguarding concern on MakSafeSpace, Makerere University’s online reporting platform, according to figures on its public dashboard.
The dashboard shows roughly 224 incidents logged across five categories of harm. Material loss and theft lead with about 69 reports, followed by emotional distress at about 53 and physical harm at 46. About 25 reports relate to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH).
The numbers offer a rare look at the kinds of harm students and staff are flagging, on the same day the university pointed its community to the platform amid public allegations against one of its senior lecturers.
The numbers
| Harm/risk type | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Material loss/theft | ~69 | 31% |
| Emotional distress | ~53 | 24% |
| Physical harm | 46 | 21% |
| Other forms of harm/risk | ~31 | 14% |
| Sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) | ~25 | 11% |
| Total | ~224 | 100% |
Source: MakSafeSpace public dashboard, accessed October 1, 2026. Figures marked ~ are read from the chart.
Together, emotional distress and physical harm make up nearly half of all reports. SEAH cases form the smallest category, at roughly one in every nine reports.
Safeguarding experts generally caution that low numbers for sexual harassment do not necessarily mean low prevalence, since such cases are among the most under-reported, often because of fear, stigma or power imbalances between complainants and the people they accuse.
On Thursday, October 1, Makerere issued a statement responding to social media videos in which acid attack survivor Hanifa Nakiryowa made allegations against her former husband, Dr Faisal Buyinza, head of the Department of Economic Theory and Analysis at CoBAMS. Dr Buyinza has previously denied wrongdoing, and a 2014 attempted murder case against him was discontinued.
The university did not name the lecturer or announce an investigation. It restated its zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment, gender-based violence and misconduct, and named MakSafeSpace among the channels for anyone wishing to file a complaint, alongside the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and the Office of the Dean of Students.
What the dashboard doesn’t say
The public chart does not show the period it covers, how many cases have been resolved, or how reports break down by college, campus or whether the person affected is a student or staff member. CampusBee has asked the university for these details and will update this story.
How to report
Students and staff can file a report on MakSafeSpace under “Report Safeguarding Incidences” and follow its progress using the “Track Your Report” feature. The platform’s Policies section sets out the university’s safeguarding rules. Complaints can also be taken to the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate or the Office of the Dean of Students.
Have you used MakSafeSpace? Tell us how it went. @campusbee.ug
